Tool



' 1,636,853 July 1927' c. E. CONNER TOOL Filed may a. 1922 Patented July 26, 1927.

warren STATES CHARLES ET CONNER, OF AUBURN, MAINE.

TOOL.

Application filed May 8, 1922. Serial No. 559,185.

This invention relates to such tools as saws, and is illustrated as embodied in a saw which is arranged to be collapsed into a form suitable for convenient carriage when not in use.

An object of the invention is to provide a readily-collapsible tool of this character, for the use of woodsmen and others, which can be carried without inconvenience when collapsed, and which is held rigidly extended when in use. Ls illustrated, a blade and handle are provided, in combination with a frame device which holds the blade rigidly when in one position, and which in another position is flexible enough to be carried around the waist in a belt. 11 feature of the invention is to be found in a connection of the blade to this device in such a manner that when not in use it may be folded flat against it in order to protect the teeth on the edge of the blade. Preferably the frame device comprises a flexible band, to which is attached on its bottom side a series of relatively short rigid members which abut against one another when the frame is flexed in one direction thus providing a rigid frame maintained in this position by the tension of the saw blade. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, a lever is pivoted on the handle of the saw, and is formed at one end to engage the blade, to tension it, means such as a spring catch being provided to lock it in place to hold the blade under tension.

Other features of my invention are to be found in an arrangement whereby the frame device may be turned relatively to the handle, so that it may flex to go around the waist in belt with the handle extending into aholster attached to the belt, in the provision of means for varying the relative effective lengths of the frame device and the blade to vary the tension of the blade, and in various specific constructions and novel combinations which will be apparent from the following description of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing my improved saw ready for use;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing it collapsed ready to be placed in a suitable belt to be carried around the waist;

3 is a detail view showing the manner of attaching the short rigid members to the flexible band of the frame device;

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing the balland-socket joint between the frame device and the blade;

Fig. 5 is a detail View showing the manner of connecting the handle and the flexible frame device to hold them locked together in either of two positions as described; and

Fig. 6 is a section through the handle, showing the mounting of the blade-tensioning lever.

My improved tool comprises generally a blade 10, such as a saw blade, a handle 12, and a frame device 14. The blade 10 is formed at one end with a cross pin 16, by means of which it may be detachably connected to the handle, and at the other end with aball member 18 seated in a socket 20 formed at one end of the frame device 14:.v

The frame device 14 comprises a flexible metal band 22, to which are attached, as by rivets 24, a series of relatively short rigid members 26 so constructed and arranged on the band 22 that they have an indefinite relative movement between one another when the band is flexed in one direction, thus allow ing the frame to adjust itself around the waist of the wearer when not in use. Then the band is flexed in the opposite direction for use, as shown in Fig. 1, the abutting surfaces of the members 26 definitely limit the flexing of the frame in this direction and provide arigid structure in which position it is maintained by the tension of the saw blade and the hand lever 12 to be described.

In order that the frame device may be turned relatively to the handle, and yet be locked against accidental turning when in use, it has at one end a threaded member 30, fitting in a cylindrical recess 32 in the handle, and carrying an adjustable nut 34. Two flat sides 36 are formed for part of the distance covered by the threads, and these sides are connected by a notch 38 at their outer ends. A. pin 40 is provided in the handle to engage either of these flat sides, and the handle may be turned as desired by pulling it out until the pin reaches recess or notch. 38. The handle is prevented from coming off by engagement of. pin 40 with the ends of the flat portions 36. When the tool is in use, as in Fig. 1, the handle is held in engagement with nut 34 by the tension of blade 10, and accordingly the relative effective lengths of the blade and frame de vice 14 may be varied, in order to vary the tension of blade .10, by adjusting the position of nut 34 on member 30.

Blade 10 detachably connected to handle 12 by means of a tensioning lever 50, pivoted in the handle at 52, and formed with a bifurcated hook-shaped end 54; to engage pin 16 carried by the blade. Lever 50 is locked in the position shown in Fig. 1 by engagement of a spring pressed latch plunger 56 with a pin 58 carried by the handle. it may be released by depressing the latch plunger against its spring by means of a finger piece 60.

When my improved tool is to be used, it is extended as shown in Fig. l, the tension of blade 10, held by lever 50, serving to hold members 26 in engagement with one another to form a substantially rigid frame. The tension of the blade may be varied by adjusting nut 3-1. hen not in use, the. tool may be collapsed as shown in Fig. 2, blade 10 being detached from handle 12, turned through 90 degrees as permitted by the balland-socket connection with frame device 14-, and folded back flat against said device so that the saw teeth are protected thereby. Handle 12 is pulled out and turned to its second position, at right angles to the position shown in Fig. 1. lVhen collapsed in this manner, the tool may be carried around the waist in a suitable belt, blade 10 and frame levice 1st litting in a pocket. running longitudinally of the belt and handle 12 allowed to hang therefrom or fitting in a suitable holster attached to the belt. As such a belt is not claimed in the present application, it is not considered necessary to illustrate it, or to desc .ibe it more fully.

lihile I have illustrated and described one embodiment of my invention, it is not my intention to limit its scope tl'ierely, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

'laving explained the invention, it claim:

1; A tool of the class described comprising, in combination, a handle, a. fra device attached thereto, said device consisting of a flexible band or connector and a series of relatively short rigid men'ibers secured to one side thereof, and a blade connected at one end to the frame device by a. pivotal joint and formed to be detachably secured to the handle at its other end, so that when the blade attached. to the handle the de viceis held rigid by engagement of successive rigid members with one another.

2. A tool of the class described comprising, in combination, a handle, a frame device attached thereto substantially at right angles and arranged to be turned. to either of two positions by twisting it 90 degrees relatively to the handle, said device consist ing of a flexible band or connector and a series of relatively short rigid members secured to one side thereof, and a blade connected at one end'to the frame device by a balland-.socl et joint and formed to be detachably secured to the handle at its other end, so that when the blade is attached to the handle the device is held rigid by engagement of successive rigid members with one another, and when the blade is detached from the handle and the frame device is turned relatively to the handle, the blade and said device fold against one another and flex in a direction away from the rigid members to go around the body in a belt with the handle hanging therefrom.

3. A tool of the class described comprising, in comliiination, a handle, a blade delachably connected to one end thereof, and a frame device connected to the opposite end thereof and to the opposite end of the blade, said frame device having a flexible connect ing band on its upper side and a series of relatively short. rigid members attached to the lower site of the band and arranged to engage one another when the blade is attached to the handle, to form a substantially rigid support.

1'. A tool of the class described comprising, in combination, a handle, a blade detachably connected to one end thereof, a frame device connected to the opposite end thereof and to the opposite end of the blade, said frame device having a flexible connecting band on its upper side and a series of relatively short rigid blocks attached to the lower side of the hand and arranged to engage one another when the blade is attached to the handle, to form a transversely longitudinally rigid blade support.

5. A collapsible saw comprising, in combination, a frame, and a toothed blade detachably connected thereto at one end and connecteiil by a. universal joint at. the other end to a frame member which may be straight when the saw is detached at the first mentioned end, so that it may be folded flat against the said frame member to protect the teeth.

6. A hand saw having, in combination, a frame comprising a plurality of members associated to permitindeiinite relative movementbetween one another when the frame is flexed in one direction and to limit definitely the flexing of the frame in another direction, and a saw blade detachably connected to opposite ends of the frame.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

CHARLES E. CONNER. 

